Thursday Hike – Mount Elwell Loop

Event: Mount Elwell Loop

When: Thursday, Sep 21, 2023 @ 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM

Leader(s); Instructor(s):
Souza, Gary @ 775-772-0607; souza4@sbcglobal.net

Ride Sharing: Northtowne Shopping Center Parking Lot (near Arby’s) @ 07:00 AM. Directions: Take US-395 North to Exit 70A (N McCarran Blvd); turn right. Turn right onto Northtowne Ln. At the traffic circle, take first exit. Parking area will be on your left.

Starting Location: Long Lake TH. Directions: Take US-395 North to exit 8 for CA-70 towards Portola/Quincy. Stay on CA-70 for 33 miles passing through the town of Portola. When you reach the intersection with CA-89 make a left turn. You will be entering the town of Graegle. Only 2.6 miles after you have made your left turn onto CA-89 you will make a right turn when you see this sign: Lakes Basin Recreation Area 7 Drive for five miles until you come to the sign for Gray Eagle Lodge and Smith Lake Trail. Turn right. After about 0.4 of a mile, before you reach Gray Eagle Lodge, take the dirt road that forks to the right and park next to the sign for Long Lake Trailhead.

Description: This is a popular trail for hiking and mountain biking. We will follow the Long Lake Trail through a heavily forested area initially before seeing Long Lake. Once the lake is in sight, the trail steepens to a rocky trail that leads to the top. Mt. Elwell has an elevation of 7,746 feet. Our elevation gain will be 2,034 feet. On the descent, we will travel through a forested area with small lakes and meadows. We will take a short break at Smith Lake before returning to the trail head.

Distance(s): 8.5     Route Type: Loop     Difficulty: 8 (1=Easy thru 10=Very Difficult)

What to Bring: Wear shoes suitable for hiking on dirt trails with loose rocks and mud. Layer clothing as appropriate for the weather. Trekking poles for those who use them. Sun protection. Bring plenty of water, snack/lunch.

Click any link to see a Google Map; Please arrive at least 15 minutes before stated times